I just received the news that a student in my university was found dead. I was hoping it was a hoax.
It wasn’t.
Our paths crossed last two weeks during a fellowship. He was sitting beside me. He introduced himself. I introduced myself. We shook hands. Little did I know it was the first and also the last time I saw him.
I don’t know much about him. From what I could see, and what I’ve been told from other people, he was a really bright young lad. Smart, good-looking, athletic, he was an all-rounder. A brilliant person, he exuded a certain charm that impressed me.
Words have it that Gary Leon Robert went missing yesterday morning in a running event and was later found dead between piles of rubbish in a secluded area in the tunnel of stadium with injuries on his chest and lips. I’m not sure about the authenticity of it – I really want to wish for the best but a rumour like this usually don’t stretch too far from the truth.
I don’t know exactly why but I’m deeply saddened by this tragic news. I can’t believe that someone so energetic, bubbly and lively with smiles all over his face, who was right in front of me, talking to me, is now dead at the time I’m writing this. Such a vast difference of events that happens only in two weeks. It seems so surreal that I wonder if this is all a dream. How could such a untimely and tragic thing happen to such a wonderful person?
I sat there, and my eyes welled up with tears, for someone I barely know. I don’t know why.
I know death is inevitable but I’m still emotionally moved.
Humans are so vulnerable. So fragile.
Life is so short. So fleeting.
It’s so crucial to really live our lives because every second we breathe may just be our last one.
Perhaps, like what his friend has said, ‘only God knows when a person’s life begins and ends. His time in this world has come to an end but his eternal life in heaven has just begun.’
I can’t imagine what his family and friends are going through at this moment. My throughts and prayers are with them.
May he rest in peace.
[UPDATE - 5 August]
Apparently, there was no foul-play in Gary’s death. Post-mortem revealed that Gary died of severe dehydration.
people come and go. i guess that’s just the way life is. i knew about this news as well when cyn sheng posted about Gary missing all of a sudden and all. in the beginning, i thought it was just a trivial matter. maybe he would have came back in an hour or so. but another facebook post from cyn sheng came up: Gary was found dead. at that very moment, countless emotions rushed into me – sad, guilty, angry, etc. everything happens so fast and sudden these days. *sigh*
may he rest in peace.
By: jef on Wednesday, 5 August 2009
at 6:13 pm
read about it in the newspapers…
really sad…
By: may88_98 on Thursday, 6 August 2009
at 12:01 am
i didn’t know you and cyn sheng were both talking about the same person until i saw the name. sorry to hear the news. may he rest in peace.
By: aryati on Thursday, 6 August 2009
at 1:56 am
Hi..Im so proud of Gary who had touched lives with just a smile and his charm had definitely left a good impression of him on you though you met him only once.
We will certainly gonna miss him for days and years to come for how much he had impacted us deeply in our life..
Im sure he doesnt want us to be so sad, and yah, may he rest in peace, Gary Leon is indeed SPECIAL !
By: K-wei on Thursday, 6 August 2009
at 10:15 pm
Yeah he is special. Wish I had known him earlier. Still reeling from the aftermath of it. Too much to be swallowed. It must be very hard for those who have known him for so many years.
By: crypticwriter on Monday, 10 August 2009
at 10:59 pm
*hugs*
Thanks for dropping your thoughts in my comment box and thanks for this post link. I feel the same as you over Gary.
I believe God knows everything and he has his own plan for everyone of us. We should be grateful for having the chance to know Gary although it was our last time.
I shall thanks Gary too for allowing me to know you here in the blogosphere. Be strong..
By: curryegg on Sunday, 9 August 2009
at 12:25 am
*hugs too*
Thanks for dropping by, it’s amazing how fate brings things together.
By: crypticwriter on Monday, 10 August 2009
at 11:01 pm
[...] songs these few days to plunge myself in the inexplicable hollowness left behind by the sudden and unexpected departure of a senior last week. I’m home, happy, but at the same time, still reeling in the aftermath of his death. Like [...]
By: Gone Too Soon « P.U.R.P.L.E.X.I.T.Y on Monday, 10 August 2009
at 11:59 pm
Sad… so very sad
By: Syl on Monday, 5 October 2009
at 5:39 am